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Closing Costs Calculator

3 to 5% you never get back.

Work out Closing Costs. 3 to 5% you never get back. Names the misconception directly.

Written and maintained by Mohit PatelLast checked August 4, 2026How we build these
%
% of price

Cash needed at completion

73,000

13,000 in costs — 4.33% of the price — plus the deposit

Total cash needed73,000
Closing costs13,000
As a share of the price4.333%
Deposit20% — 60,000
Loan amount240,000
Transfer tax or stamp duty9,000 — 69.2% of costs
Legal fees1,500 — 11.5% of costs
Survey and valuation800 — 6.2% of costs
Lender fees1,000 — 7.7% of costs
Insurance, upfront400 — 3.1% of costs
Other300 — 2.3% of costs

Closing costs typically run 3 to 5% of the purchase price and are the reason short holds rarely work financially. That money is spent the moment you buy and none of it is recoverable on sale. Transfer tax or stamp duty is usually the largest single item and the one with the sharpest thresholds — buying just above a band boundary can cost thousands more than buying just below, which is worth checking before making an offer. Every line here is an input because they vary by jurisdiction, by lender and by property. Getting real quotes rather than using any calculator's defaults is worth doing before committing to a purchase.

How the Closing Costs Calculator works

Total cash needed at completion, with every cost itemised. Closing costs typically run 3 to 5% of the price and are the reason short holds so rarely work financially — none of it is recoverable on sale.

Also known as: how much cash do i need to buy · stamp duty and fees calculator · cost of buying a house · cash to close calculator

Not financial advice. This calculator is for planning and illustration, not financial advice. Real products carry fees, taxes, and terms it does not model. Confirm figures with your lender or a qualified adviser before committing.

Frequently asked questions

How much are closing costs?

Typically 3 to 5% of the purchase price, dominated by transfer tax or stamp duty. Legal, survey and lender fees make up most of the rest.

How much cash do I need in total?

Deposit plus closing costs. On a 300,000 purchase with a 20% deposit and 4% costs, that is 72,000 — considerably more than the deposit alone suggests.

Why do closing costs make short holds expensive?

Because they are spent the moment you buy and none of it is recoverable. Add selling costs at the other end and a property has to appreciate several percent just to break even.

Do stamp duty thresholds matter?

A great deal. Bands have sharp edges, so buying just above a threshold can cost thousands more than buying just below — which is worth checking before making an offer.

Can closing costs be added to the mortgage?

Sometimes, and it increases the loan and the interest paid over its life. It solves a cash problem rather than a cost problem.

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The one-line version
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